Tornado Safety Tips

A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for a tornado in and around the watch area.  

• Stay tuned to a local radio or television station or listen to NOAA Weather Radio.
• Secure any loose objects outdoors, or move them inside.
• Survey local structures for the most suitable shelter.
• Keep watching the sky. If you see any rotating funnel shaped clouds, report them immediately to the nearest law enforcement agency and TAKE COVER!

A tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted near your area, by either an observer or Doppler Radar, or is forecast to move in your direction! TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY!  Do not leave shelter until you are sure no further danger exists.

• In a motor vehicle:
  • The least desirable place to be during a tornado is inside a motor vehicle!
  • NEVER try to outrun a tornado in your car!  Stop your vehicle and get out.
  • Seek shelter quickly. Do NOT get under or next to your vehicle.
  • A ditch or ground depression will help, if a tornado shelter is not nearby.
• At school:
  • Follow the school disaster plan.
  • Stay away from auditoriums, cafeterias, or gymnasiums, or other areas with wide free span roofs.
  • Go into center hallways and stay away from windows..
• In open country:
  • Move away from the tornado's projected path at right angles.
  • Seek shelter in a ditch, ravine or culvert. Even a low spot in the ground will give you some protection.
  • Stay away from trees.
  • Remember to protect your head.
• In the home or condo:
  • The safest place to go is the innermost hallway on the lowest floor.
  • An interior closet is relatively safe. An interior bathroom is even better.
    • Four walls surround a small area
    • Bathroom plumbing helps hold things together.
    • The bathtub, sink and toilet help support debris if the house should collapse.
  • Avoid windows!
    • Flying debris causes most injuries and deaths.
    • Flying glass can be deadly!
  • Do not open windows as a tornado approaches to equalize pressure.
    • If a tornado actually gets close enough for a pressure drop to be felt, the strong tornadic winds have probably already caused the most significant damage.
    • Opening windows may actually increase the amount of damage, by allowing air borne debris to enter your home!
• In a mobile or manufactured home:
  • One of the least desirable places to be during a tornado.
  • Seek shelter IMMEDIATELY!
  • Go to a tornado shelter on foot.  Do NOT drive your car.
  • Do NOT get under your mobile home.
  • If no other shelter is available, lie down in a ditch or ground depression.

• Help injured or trapped persons.
• Give first aid when appropriate.
  • Don't try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
  • Call for help.
• Turn on radio or television to get the latest emergency information.
• Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
• Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, or gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.
• Leave the buildings if you smell gas or chemical fumes.
• Take pictures of the damage--both to the house and its contents--for insurance purposes.
• Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.